We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelsey Black a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kelsey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I would love to see an easier path and marketability for indie published books. Here at The Book Burrow we love to have local authors present in our store. Whether they are traditionally published or Indie published. I want to be the store that gives non-traditionally published authors a chance to share their stories. We have seen first hand that sometimes authors just need an opportunity to succeed. I want my future to be filled with giving authors, and future booksellers, advice and opportunities to make their dreams come true. It should not be Traditional vs. Indie publishing. Indie authors are just authors that haven’t been seen by the masses yet. We should be coming together to support each other in the book industry.

Publishing houses in general are closing at an alarming rate. In a digital age, Authors have the ability to engage directly with their fans to ask for support on crowdsourcing platforms. Launching material on Kickstarter historically causes burn out in creators or complete abandonment of the content.

Bookselling is about connecting people with stories that they can see themselves in – whether those stories are Traditionally published or Indie Published. Bookstores are inherently about a mix of known and unknown.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Bookstores have historically been a safe space for political discourse and books are a major catalyst for social change – something that is desperately needed in Texas. We use our store to amplify local voices and to give our community a space to always embrace their weird.

Our slogan ‘Embrace Your Weird’ encourages us to express what makes us unique. We are here to support those who are just trying to find a home, a Third Place, where they have freedom to express themselves. We like to celebrate the uniqueness of people and we want to give people the tools for the fight we all face to find a place we can call home. We want to show everyone in our community that there are still safe spaces in our community to be themselves.

At The Book Burrow, we go beyond just providing books to our customers. We strive to create a welcoming community where book lovers can come together and indulge in their passion for reading. We believe in the power of literature to spark conversations, challenge ideas, and promote diverse perspectives.

Our knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist customers in finding the perfect book for their taste. Whether they’re looking for a hidden gem from an indie author or a classic that has stood the test of time, we’re here to offer personalized recommendations. We understand that everyone has their own unique interests and preferences, and we embrace that by curating a diverse collection of books that cater to different genres, themes, and reading levels.

But our commitment to our customers doesn’t end there. We also host events that foster a sense of community and provide opportunities for book lovers to connect with each other. From author readings and book clubs to workshops and literary discussions, we aim to create an environment where people can share their love for books and engage in meaningful conversations.

So, when you choose The Book Burrow, you’re not just supporting a local business, you’re joining a community of passionate readers who believe in the power of books to inspire, educate, and entertain. We’re here to help you find your next great read, spark your imagination, and create memorable reading experiences.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes!! So So many! But my top three are: Profit First, We Should All Be Millionaires, and anything about the Enneagram.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Our entire journey illustrates our resilience. I started my bookstore about 3.5 years ago in my garage (with no AC, in Texas). I have since built from an online store, to pop-up bookshop, to permanent Bricks and Mortar location. Our first location opened on August 6th 2022 in the back breakroom of another business. We quickly outgrew that space and moved in with our friends at Three Legged Goat in March 2023. After 4.5 months there we moved into our current location on August 1st, 2023 and have been here over a year. We were founded on the principle that every person deserves to be safe enough to be themselves. We use our store to amplify local voices and to give our community a space to always embrace their weird. Our goal is to build up the community that surrounds the bookstore and create a safe “third place” for all. The “third place” term was coined by US sociologist Ray Oldenburg in 1989. It is a place outside your home or work where you can relax and hang out. These places are where community is fostered, friendships are made, and ideas are discussed.
Our slogan ‘Embrace Your Weird’ encourages us to express what makes us unique. We are here to support those who are just trying to find a home, a Third Place, where they have freedom to express themselves. We like to celebrate the uniqueness of people and we want to give people the tools for the fight we all face to find a place we can call home. We want to show everyone in our community that there are still safe spaces in our community to be themselves. At The Book Burrow, we go beyond just providing books to our customers. We strive to create a welcoming community where book lovers can come together and indulge in their passion for reading. We believe in the power of literature to spark conversations, challenge ideas, and promote diverse perspectives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebookburrowbookstore.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookburrowtx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebookburrowtexas
• Other: https://linktr.ee/thebookburrow

Image Credits

Jenni Warner-Green took the photo of Kelsey Black. Kelsey Black took all other photos